Last month, the U.S.-Mexico border saw an increase of migrants from distant countries such as Russia and Ukraine.
In December 2021, over 2,000 Russians and 300 Ukrainians made their way to the border.
Over the last month, the border has also seen 500 Turkish migrants cross into El Paso, Texas.
Around 800 migrants from India illegally crossed the border into Yuma, Arizona.
Migrants from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Venezuela have made up close to 53,000 people that have crossed the border.
The landscape for Russian and Ukrainian migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border has shifted dramatically due to new executive orders. The Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program for new arrivals has been paused, and the CBP One app is no longer used for port-of-entry appointments.
Migrants now face stricter enforcement under “National Defense Area” designations, increasing the risk of detention or immediate removal. While some may still seek asylum, processing is significantly delayed. Legal counsel is essential to navigate these evolving humanitarian parole and border restrictions.
